RSU wins team title, NSU’s Hernandez takes individual crown, UCO charges in Grace Shine Invitational
EDMOND, Okla. – Lydia Sitorus and Ellen Loving tied for second at 1-over 143 to help Rogers State win the Grace Shin Invitational Tuesday at the Golf Club of Edmond.
NSU’s Aitana Hernandez won the individual title by a stroke after a second-round 1-under 70 put her at 142.
For RSU, Jessica Green was next in a three-way tie for 13th with a 148, Jaelynn Unger finished in a six-way tie for 36th with a 154. Raquel Flores closed out the group in a six-way tie for 47th with a card of 157 (+15).
The RiverHawks were on the heels of the eventual team champions Rogers State and pulled within a stroke before finishing 8-over on the closing four-hole stretch.
Kaylee Petersen finished in 12th place, turning in a 147 score (72-75). Macy Rutland rebounded from her round Monday, matched Petersen’s 75, and was tied for 44th at 156. Nina Lee tied for 31st (77-76). Yasmin Hang was a stroke back tied for 47th overall (79-78).
Susana Olivares led a final-round charge that put her and host Central Oklahoma among the leaders on the final day. Olivares closed with a 2-under-par 69 to tie for second in the individual standings, while the Bronchos knocked 12 strokes off their first-round score to come in third after starting the day in sixth place.
UCO shot a final-round 291 to finish at 593. Rogers State won the 20-team tournament with a 586 total, three shots ahead of Nebraska-Kearney and five in front of the Bronchos.
Southwestern Oklahoma State placed seventh, Cameron eighth, Oklahoma Baptist 10th, Redlands Community College tied for 15th and Southern Nazarene 19th in the 20-team field.
Central’s second-team unit finished 13th at 637 after closing with a 311.
“We played much better today to at least gave ourselves a chance,” UCO head coach Michael Bond said. “The girls came out really determined and they stayed focused all day.”
All five starters broke 80. Mika Ramos came in with a 73, Madison O’Dell had a 74, Kinsley Hall a 75 and Emma Shelley a 78.
Taylor Towers paced the second team with a 72. Faith Stewart shot 78, while Arin Zachary added a 79 and Emily Miller an 82.
Towers had four bogeys and three birdies in her one-over-par round and ended up tied for 16th individually with a 149 total. Ramos and Shelley tied for 18th in the medalist standings with 150 totals.
UCO continues the fall season Sunday and Monday with a trip to Hot Springs, Ark. for the Central Regional Preview.